Cross-cultural comparison of plant use knowledge in Baitadi and Darchula districts, Nepal Himalaya

TLDR

Baitadi and Darchula residents occupy distinct physiographic zones yet share similar ecological resources, and plant use knowledge is shaped by cultural heritage and ecogeographic conditions. The study aims to quantify inter‑ and intra‑cultural variability in plant use knowledge and test whether elderly native healers possess more diverse knowledge than younger non‑healers. Researchers conducted a comparative ethnobotanical survey of 100 participants from the two districts, asking each to identify the three most important plants for socioeconomic benefit, culture, health, and livelihood. Results show a significant divergence in plant use knowledge between the districts, largely driven by cultural heritage, with low consensus scores indicating that cultural, accessibility, and ecological differences shape plant use.

Abstract

This study seeks to better understand the human-nature interface and to measure the variability of plant use knowledge among cultures, through inter- and intracultural analyses. We compared plant collection, use, and management of two culturally distinct groups (Baitadi and Darchula) of the Nepal Himalaya. They inhabit different physiographic regions, yet share the same ecological landscape, environmental resources, and livelihood challenges. We hypothesized that the elderly, native, and traditional healers living in remote and rural places possess more diverse and detailed knowledge of plant use and conservation than young, non-native, and non-healers.A total of 106 people were contacted for interviews, and 100 (68 men and 32 women) agreed to share ethnobotanical, demographic, and socioeconomic information. They were asked about the three most important plants for their socioeconomic benefit, culture, primary health care, and livelihood.The knowledge of plant collection, use, and its transfer was strongly associated with the cultural heritage whereas the ecogeographical condition influences the ways in which plants are collected and used. The divergent knowledge of plant collection, use, and transfer between the participants of Baitadi and Darchula was significantly (p < 0.001) attributed to the cultural heritage of the area. The low consensus of plant use (FiC 0-0.87; IASc 0-0.67) between Baitadi and Darchula district could be due to cultural divergence, varied accessibility, physiographic heterogeneity, and biodiversity uniqueness.Differences in plant use knowledge may help in diversifying the strategies of plant use in accordance with the livelihood, culture, and environment, and therefore, more studies measuring these aspects can further the ecosystem and cultural health of the region.